Every Heartbeat

Book1 Chapter4 - Falling

Sometimes love is death by a thousand cuts.

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PRESENT DAY

I've finally found a quiet place on campus to watch the rest of Mikha's video message.

"Hopefully no one will interrupt me here."

I sit with my back against the building, my phone in my lap.

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to work up the courage to hit 'play' again.

"I don't know if I can keep doing this..." I sadly said

Just then, I notice something sticking out of a nearby bush.

"Is that...? It can't be..." I shockingly said

I reach out and grab...

Fall Carnival
@ Ateneo High School
Saturday @ 6 P.M

"Fall Carnival Poster. It must've been hidden here for months."

I look at the poster for the Fall Carnival and smile as memories of that night come flooding back...

"Mikha, if this is one of your signs... then message received." I said smiling

I fold the poster and slip it into my pocket before pressing 'play'...

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9 month's ago

It's finally the afternoon of the Fall Carnival! I'm meeting Mikha in less than an hour...

I've been prepping Maloi for her date with Colet non-stop all afternoon.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Maloi said

"You going on a date with Colet? Of course it is! Stop freaking out!" I said happily

"But I've never on a real date before! My last one was like, freshman year, which barely even counts. And it didn't exactly go great. I feel like I have no idea what I'm supposed to do." Maloi

"Just relax and talk to her. You're a great talker! And if that goes well, which it will, then you can worry about on to other things." I said encouraging

"But---"

Just then, my mom peeks her head through the doorway cutting Maloi.

"You two almost ready?" Mom

"Just about." I said

"Now. Tell me everything about this friend you're meeting tonight." Mom

"Mom... She actually spends a lot of time at the hospital. Her friend Gelo has a liver cancer, so she visits a lot to keep him company." I said

"I think I've heard of her... Doesn't she get in trouble with her friends all the time?" Mom

I think back on their antics over the last few weeks...

"Uh, not that often." I said

My mom chuckles.

"It's fine, sweetheart. If the worst she does is spend her free time trying to cheer up the kids in the pediatric ward, then I like her already. Maloi? Anything you'd like to add?" Mom

"Sorry, Mrs. Arceta. I gotta respect the Girl Code."

My mom's phone beeps. She looks at it and sighs, then wraps me in a tight hug.

"I have to get going, but I'm so proud of the way you're fitting in here, hon." Mom

"Thanks, Mom."

She pulls back, looking me up and down.